Magnetic holding and guide means



July l5, H952; B. F. DocKERY MAGNETIC HOLDING AND GUIDE MEANS FOR SPRING ASSEMBLY MACHINES 9 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Nov. 19 1948 BENJAMIN F. Dock QY BY MJ@ mmnwg ATTO ENEY B. F. DOCKERY MAGNETIC HOLDING AND GUIDE MEANS F OR SPRING ASSEMBLY MACHINES 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 19. 1948 July l5, 952 B. F. DocKERY MAGNETIC HOLDING AND GUIDE MEANS FOR SPRING ASSEMBLY MACHINES 9 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. 19, 1948 WQN ng INVENTOR: BENJAMIN E DOCKERY.

ATTORNEY mi h Jy E5, i152 B. F. DocKERY MAGNETIC HOLDING AND GUIDE MEANS FOR SPRING ASSEMBLY MACHINES 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Nov. 19. 1.948

INVENTOR.'

ATTORNEY July l5, 1952 B. F. DocKERY MAGNETIC HOLDING AND GUIDE MEANS FOR SPRING ASSEMBLY MACHINES 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed NOV. 19, 1948 ATTORNEY July 15, 1952 B. F. DocKERY MAGNETIG HOLDING AND GUIDE MEANS FOR SPRING ASSEMBLY MACHINES 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Nov. 19. 1948 BENJAMIN F. DOCKERY,

INVENTOR.

BY l

ATTO ENEY July 15, 1952 B. F. DocKERY 2,603,246

MAGNETIC HOLDING AND GUIDE MEANS FOR SPRING ASSEMBLY MACHINES BENJAMIN F. DocKERY.

ATTO NEY July 15 1952 B. F. DocKl-:RY v 2,603,246

MAGNETIC HOLDING AND GUIDE MEANS `FOR SPRING ASSEMBLY MACHINES Filed Nov. 19, 1948 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 July 15, 1952 B. F. DocKERY MAGNETIC HOLDING AND GUIDE MEANS FOR SPRING ASSEMBLY` MACHINES 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed NOV. 19. 1948 EN F Docu-12v.

, BENJAMIN AT T02 N EY Patented July l5, 1952 lUNITED STATESu PATENT OFFICE This invention relates to apparatus for assemli bling coiled spring units such as are used in bed springs, furniture springs, automobile cushion springs, and the like.

Coiled spring units such as are used in bed springs, upholstered furniture and the like, gen.

erally comprise a plurality of coiled springs disposed on a vertical axis, which are arranged in spaced longitudinal and transverse rows, the longitudinal rows of coiled springs being disposed immediately adjacent or overlapping each other, while the transverse rows of coiled springs are spaced apart from each other and a pluralityof coiled wires extend longitudinally from one transverse row of the -coiled springs to the next transverse row of coiledsprings and so on. As I the coiled wires pass from one transverse row of coiled springs to the next, they are spirally wound about theoverlapping portions of the uppermost and lowermost coils of the coiled springs in such a manner as to bind the coiled springs together, and to thus form a coiled spring unit.

Heretofore, there have been various methods used for assembling these coiled spring units, among which has been that method of placing the coiled springs on pegs or vertical standards and to provide an electric motor having a spindle to which one end of a coiled wire is attached and the other end of the coiled wire being fed manu'- ally into engagement with each of the coiled springs pastlwhich the coiled wire is moved, this being repeated for each longitudinal row of coiled springs. This has required considerable time and specially trained, very experienced labor in order to insure a reasonably fast rate of production'as well as -to keep the expense of assembling the coiled spring units to a minimum.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide apparatus broadly embodying means for automatically feeding the coiledv wires to both the upper and lower ends of thejcoiled springs simultaneously and in Such a manneras to tie them together and wherein all of lthe' coiled wires may be attached to all `of the longitudinal rows of coiled springs simultaneously.

It is another object of this invention to proy vide apparatus for-assembling coiled spring units comprising a platformen which a plurality of verticallydisposed pegs are adjustably mounted and each vof which is adapted to receive a coiled spring, the pegs being arranged in longitudinal rows and between each row of which there is a longitudinally extending grooved member, the grooved member having a magnetized member extending longitudinallypthereof and from the upper surface of which the sides of the groove are beveled outwardly and to further vprovide a plurality of driven spindles being disposed on a horizontal axis. A suitable guiding member is disposed in alinement with the feed end of the longitudinal extending grooved member, whereby each of the upstanding pegs may have a coiled spring placed over the same, the proximate edges of the coiled springs lapping over each other above the grooved member in such a manner that a coiled wire maybe placed on the guiding member atone end thereof and the other end of the coiled wire may be attached to the corresponding spindle, there being a spindle for each coiled wire. These spindles are adapted to receive the trailing ends of the coiled wires in such a manner that upon rotation of the spindles the coiled wires will be fed onto the grooved member and will be held in proper alinement by the beveled walls of the grooved member and, due to the magnetic attraction of the magnetized member extending longitudinally of the grooved member, the coiled wire will adhere to the grooved member and thus the coiled wire will be fed around the coils at the `bottoms of the coiled springs which will assemble the springs in proper spaced relation to each other thus forming an assembled coil spring unit.

It is another object of this invention to provide automatic means associated with the coiled spring assembling apparatus whereby upon the coiled wires being installed on the coiled springs as heretofore described, the driving means and its associated spindles, which is mounted on a wheeled carriage, will be drawn towards the platform as the coiled wires are fed around the bottom coils of the coiled spring-s. Now, as the coiled wires are finally fed entirely intothe apparatus, the wheeled carriage on'which an electric motor is mounted will engage a switch to thus automatically reverse rotation of the motor and to release the coiled wires from the associated spindles, after which the wheeled carriage is unit assembling apparatus with parts being broken away and omitting the component parts Y' of the coiled spring unit; Y

Figure 2 is an electrical wiring diagram showing the various electrically responsive parts schematically;

Figure 3 is a top plan view shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is an enlarged elevation with parts in-section and is taken substantially along the line 4.4 in Figure 1;`

Figure 5 is a top plan View of the Vstructure shown in Figure 4 and is taken substantially along the line 5-5 in Figure 4, but omitting the vertically movable upper plate and the various parts secured thereto;

Figure 6 is an enlarged elevation of the spindle and motor carriage and showing a portionof the table top in cross section and is taken substan- Y tially along the line 6-6 in Figure l; I

Figure l is an enlarged elevation of the lefthand portion of Figure l and showing portions of the coiled wires mounted on the spindles of the motor carriage;

Figure 8 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line 8-8 in Figure 6;

Figure 9 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken along the line 9-9 in Figure 6;

Figure 10 is a greatly enlarged vertical sectional view taken substantiallyv along the line Ill-I0 in Figure 1 and showing one ofthe stations at which the coiled springs are mounted for assembly to the coiled wires; Figure 1l is' an enlarged isometric View with parts in section and with other partsbeing broken away and Vis taken substantially Valong the line in Figure 5; l

Figure 12 is a top plan view of an assembled coiled spring unit;

-Figure 13 is an elevation of the'asseinbled coiled `spring unitlooking down on the upper end of Figure 12. Y l

Referring more specically to the drawings,

this invention comprises a table i0, a motor carriage a spring assembling platform |2, and a vertically movable upper platform |3. Referring to Figure 1 it may be observed that the table 4 spring assembling platform I2 in the manner' to be later described.

The rectangular plate 25 has an angle plate 3| secured thereon, as by bolts 3|a. This angle plate 3| has a suitable electric gear reduction reversible motor 32 secured thereon, by any suitable means such as bolts 33, which slidably penetrate the horizontal leg of theangle plate 3| and also penetrate the rectangular plate 25 thus securing the motor 32 and the angle plate 3| to the rectangular plate 25. The electric motor 32 `has electric wires 35, 36, 31 and 38 extending A 4ther'efrom and by referring to Figure 2 the motor of the 'Strutture als l0 lcomprises a horizontally disposed plate l5 which is supported on suitable legs |6, which are secured to the horizontally disposed Vplate |5 by any suitable'means'rsuch as welding. Suitable angle bar trackways 20 and 2| are weldedto the top surface of the plate I5 for guiding the motor carriage to be-presently described.

The motor carriage (Figures l, 3,-6, '1, 8 and .9) comprises a horizontally disposed rectangular plate 25 havinggears 26 welded to the lower surface adjacent eachcorner thereof and projecting downwardly therefrom. `Each of the ears 26 has Va'lshoulder bolt 21 secured therein and on which is shown symbolically as being a reversing motor, single phase.

The electric wires 31 and 38 extend to contact points 40 and `4|, respectively (Figure 2). which are adapted to be intermittently engaged by a switch closing contact bar 42. The switch closing bar 42 is pivoted intermediateits ends and the opposite end of the same from that which engages the contact points 40 and 4| intermittently engages contact points 43 and 44, respectively, from which electric wires 45 and 46, respectively, extend to amanually operated double pole master switch 50 the other side of which is adapted to contact electric wires 53 and 54. The wire 46 is connected to the electric'wire 36 adjacent the electric motor 32 (Figure 2).

The lelectric wire 54 extends to one side of a male plug 55 which is adapted to be plugged into a suitable source of electric energy, not shown, and this male plug 55rhas an electric fwire'56 extending from the other side thereof toone side of a solenoid coil- 51. The electric wire 53 extending from the switch' 50, is connected to the electric wire 56 extending from the male plug 55 to the solenoid coil 51. The solenoid coil 51 surrounds a plunger 58 having a rod 6| extending from one end thereof and being pivotally connected adjacent the lower end of the contact arm 42 in Figure 2. Also pivotally connected adjacent the lower end of the contact arrn' 42 is one end of a rod 63, the opposite end of which is connected to' a plunger 64 surrounded by a solenoid coil 65. One end of the solenoid coil 65 has an electric wire 66 extending therefrom and being connected intermediate the ends of the electric wire 56.

The solenoid coils 51 and 65 have electric wires 10 and 1I,'respectively, extending therefrom to one side or micro-switches 12 and 13, respectively. The other sides of the micro-switches '12 andv13 are connected to opposite ends of an electric Wire 14 and an electric wire 15 is connected intermediate th'e ends of electric wire 14, theother lend of the wire 15 being connected to wire 54 extending from the male plug to `the master'switch 50.

Obviously, the reversing mechanism for the eiectii 'rjotr'so and the switch 'suf'may pe disposed Vremotelyfrom the table IU and "for that reason and for purposes of clarity, these parts have been omitted from `the drawings with the `exception of theY schematic -wiring diagram shown in Figure 2; Themicro-switcheslz and 13 are alsov shown in Figures 1, 3, 5 and6. Each of the micro-switchesl12and 13 is secured as by screws to an upright'bracket 8| secured as by a screw 82 adjacent opposite ends of the Vtrackways 20- and 2| and to the horizontally disposed plate I5. The purpose of the switches 12 and 13 is to automatically reverse the rotation of the electric motor at each end of the range of 5 travel f lthe carriage for purposes to be later described.

-The vertical leg of the angle plate 3| has 'a suitable bearingmember 85 (Figure .9). flxedly mounted therein and the electric motorV 32 has arshaft 86 extending from the same which is rotatably mounted in the bearing member 85. The shaft 86 extends beyond the vertical leg of the angle plate 3| and has a double grooved V-pulley 81 secured thereon as by a set screw 90.A The pulley 81 has V-belts 9| and 92 mounted thereon which extend in opposite directions and each of which engages a plurality of spaced V-pulleys 93 which are disposed in two substantially parallel rows, one above '.the other (Figure 6), to thus impart rotation.V to each of the pulleys 93 in a like direction to that in which the motor shaft 86 may be rotating.

Referring to Figure 8 there may be observed one of the V-pulleys 93 and this pulley 93 has an elongated hub portion 93a and is secured, as by a set screw 94, on a spindle 95 which is rotatably mounted in a bearing portion 96 secured in the vertical leg of the angle plate 3|. The shaft 95 has a headed portion 91 at its right-hand end in Figure 8 and this headed portion as well as the pulley 93 on the shaft 95 prevent endwise movement of the shaft 95. It will be noted that the grooved pulleys 93 to the left of the motor shaft 86 in Figure 5 are disposed in alinement with each other for engagement by the V-belt 92 and the pulleys 93 disposed at the right-hand side of the shaft 86 are disposed inalinement with each other for engagement by the V-belt 9|.

Referring to Figures 6 and 8 it may be observed that each of the spindles 95 has a restricted portion integral therewith which is ball pointed as at 0| and which is adapted to receive the trailing end of the coiled Wire indicated at W. It Will be noted that the spindle 95 has an axial groove |03 cut therein which is also cut on an angle or spirally relative to the axis of the spindle 95 and which is adapted to receive the trailing end of the coiled wire W whereby, upon rotation being transmitted to the spindle 95 in such a manner as to cause the upper side of the shaft to move away from the observer in Figure 8, the coiled wire W will be caused to rotate in a like manner.

Spring assembling platform Before the electric motor 32 is started, as will be more fully described in the method of operation, the end of each of the coiled wires W is to be mounted in one of the spindles or shafts 95 in the manner heretofore described and the other of leading ends of the coiled Wires W extend to the upper and lower platforms I3 and 2, respectively, connected to the same in a manner to be later described.l c

The spring assembling platform I2 comprises a pair of transverse spaced dove-,tailed guide members ||0 and which are secured as by screws 3 (Figure 1) to the horizontally disposed plate of the table I0. -Both of the dove-tailed guide members ||0 and are identical and by referring to Figure 11, it y:may be observed that the dove-tailed guide member ||0 has a dove-tailed groove ||5 extending longitudinally thereof and in which a vgib ||6 is mounted and this dove-tailed groove ||5 in each of the transverse dove-tailed, guide members ||0 and is adapted to receive the male dove-tailed portions of a plurality'of support blocks |20, these support blocks |20 beingspaced alternately apart 'fromeachother and ,between each ofl which is 4 and 11)- 11' f.

Each of the transversedove-tailed guide members ||0 and I has a plurality of set screws |25 threadably penetrating the outer walls of the dove-tailed groove ||5, the heads ofwhich are disposed on the remote sides of the dove-tailed guide blocks ||0 and in Figure 1. The proximate ends of these set screwsm|25 4are adapted to engage the gibs ||6 (Figure 11) disposedin the dove-tailed groove ||5 in the guide members ||0 and in such a mannerras to clampingly secure the malefdove-tailed portions ofthe blocks |20v and- |2| in a desiredy adjusted position with respectl to each other.

It is obvious that when so desired, the set screws |25 may be loosened slightly to thereby permit lateral adjustment of the blocks |20 and |2| with respect to ,eachr other. Each of the blocks |20, mounted in the transverse guide bar ||0, has a corresponding block |20 mounted in the guide bar and mounted on each of these blocks |20, as by screws |21, and spanning the distance therebetween, is a lower insulation bar |26 (Figure 7). The insulation bar |26 has the lowermost portion of a longitudinally extending soft iron core bar |30 embedded therein which is surrounded by a suitable insulation material |3| (Figure l0).

The soft iron core member |30 is preferably rectangular in cross section and is secured to the insulation bar |26 by suitable insulation pins |32. The soft iron core bar |30 and its insulation |3| extends upwardly and slidably penetrates an upper insulation bar |34. The insulation material |3| terminates at the top surface of the upper insulation bar |34; however, the soft iron core bar |30 projects a substantial distance upwardly above the top surface of the insulation bar |34. vSuitable spaced insulation pins |35 are pressed through the insulation'bar |34 and the upper portion of the core bar |30 to thus secure the core bar |30 to the insulation bar |34. l v

The, insulation material |3| completely surroundslthe opposite ends and. both sidesl of the vertically disposed soft iron core'bar |30` and a suitable magnetic coil |36 is wound about the same. Electric wires |31 and |40 extend from opposite sides of themagnetic coil |36 and are connected to lead wires |4| and |42 extending from a suitablejsource of electrical energy, not shown, thus forming an electro-magnet in which the core barf|30 is magnetized." A suitable insulation material |45' surrounds the magnetic coil |36 thus completing the-structure of the electro-magnet.

It will benoted in Figures 4 5 and 11 that the insulation bar |34 terminatesa substantial distance short of the end of the insulation bar |26 adjacent the feed end of the apparatus and a guide block1|46. `of a suitablek non-magnet-v izable material such as aluminum, is secured, by suitable means such as screws |41, to the insulation bar |26 and the block |20 mounted in the transverse guide bar H0.

The block |46 hasl a longitudinally extending V-groove |50 therein and the block |46 vhas a horizontally disposed pin |5| secured therein, as by'a pressed fit, and which is disposed )at an angle relative to the axis ofthe V-groove |50 and passesacro'ss the V-groove |50.: I'he angle at which the pin '|5| passes Vacrossthe `Vg`roove |50 conforms 's'ubstaalntially tol-the'lad offthe a similar block |2| (Figures aleoagcae coils inthe coiled wire Wi 'and theV-groove.s|50 conforms tof the' exterior-diameter. of .the ycoiled wire W. The guide block |46 has anupwardly projecting portion I 53 --integral therewith. which is-4 straddledbby downwardly projecting.. ears- |54 of a guide Ablock cap |56. kilhe guide'b1ock1cap |56 is pivotally secured, asiatV |51, to theuup'- wardly `projecting portion -'|.53 `of :.thefguide block et. l. 2..'I

"The'guide-block cap |56 has a `V-groove. |=60 therein :which cooperates with the V-groovei |50 in the guide bl'o'ck |46 tofform a square .opening between the-members |46 and-|56 'and through which,` the 'coiled wire-W-passeslto -theilcoiled springalto be presentlydescribed. The guide block |46 has la-cavity |`6| thereinlFigure 111). whichfis adapted `toreceive the free enel of a leaf spring 'member |62 secured, asby a screw; |63; tothe guide-block cap .|56.when.it-.is in closed'position -f f..

Engaging'opposite sides of-thatpoi'tion ofA the longitudinally extendingsoftiron core |30 which projects above the insulation barl |34,=arenon magnetizable guidel bars |65 and |66whichfare preferably of-porcelan or glass'and are secured,

as by screws-`|61, to the 'upper insulation bar |34. rihe proximate upper edges of the longitudinally extending vguide bars- |65-and *|66 arebeveled as at |10 and, asthe coiled wire-Wisfed through the apparatus in a manner to be later described, it is adapted to 'engage thebeveled surfaces |10 as the magnetized soft iron core |30 tendsto draw -the coiled wire W towards the same td thus assist in retaining the coiled wire W betweenthe guide bars |65 and |66 asv it moves longitudinally thereof. l i

Referring to Figures 4 and 10, it Vmay be Aobserved that theblocks |2| 4disposed between the blocks |20 are of a substantially greater height than Vthe blocks-|20 and each of ythe blocks |2| mounted in the guide bar ||has a correspondin g block |2| mounted in the guide bar v|'||. Welded to the block |2| yin the guide bar- I0 at one end, and tov the block |2| in the guide bar at its other end, is a longitudinally extending bar whichhas ajT-"slot |1-| extending from one end to the rother thereof. The T-slot |1| is`adapted to loosely receive the head portions'of a plurality of T-bolts generally designated by the referenceY character |12. yThese T- bolt's' |12 extend upwardly'and each ofthem are threadably embedded in an individual peg'or standard |13' to thus a'djustably secure each of tlie'stand'ards |13 tofthe longitudinally extending bar |10.''.Each `of the pegs |13 vis hernispherical -as at` |14at4 its upper en d foreaseA of reception of a conventional cushion lcoiled spring designated at C. y n "To, assist in properly locatingv the coiled spring C onthe. peg |13,` each 'of they pegs 13 has apair of adjustable" pilot .ba s '|15' and |16 mounted at each side* thereof andbeingadju'stablysecured', as bya'bol'tllTl, to the''longitudinally "extending bar |10, therejbeing'a sdufa're or Ar'ec'tangilar nut |18 disposed within the T-slot |1| to threadably receive the lower end ofthe bolt `|11."'It' will 'be noted that a portion oi lthe pilot bar |15 overlaps a portion ofV the pilotbar |16 and this overlapping portion is slidably .penetrated'by the screw |11 so as to vriot only permit adjustment of the'pilot bars longitudinally of the bar |10 but to also permit the bars |15`and' |15 to lbeYpivotally adjuste'don a horizontal :plane relative to'.each other. Ihj 'remotejends 'of the pilot bars"|15"and "|10 are bentl :upwardly 'and inwardly "at-v an 'angle' as at.l |60 and ||lf| respectively, and theseportions and |8| serve as guiding cams to further assistin .guiding the-.,lowermost coil of the coiled spring C .into properpositionon the pilot bars |15 and |16.. Obviously, theinwardly projecting portions. |80 and |8| may beof a separate piece of material from the pilot :bars |15 and |16,4 respectively, and .may be weldedvto or secured. integral with the pilot bars |15 and .|16 by any desirable means.A

Welded. to the horizontally disposedy plate I5 vand disposed adjacent Vopposite ends of the transverse dove-tailedl guide bars I0 and' arevertically disposed theguide posts'l90 which project upwardlyand slidably penetrate-a horizontally disposed rectangular plate |9| which comprises a part of the vertically movable topplatform |3.. Suitable compressionV springs |92 surround the intermediateportion of the vertically disposed guide post and assist in supporting the weight of thel horizontally disposed plate |9| and associated partaith'e plate |9|l resting onthe upper end vof ythe springs. |92. The lower end of each ofthe springs |92is supported on an adjustable collar |93 secured, as bya' set screw |94, onl each of the posts |90.

,The horizontally disposedplate |9| has a slot |95 adjacent each corner thereof, and eachof the slotsv |95 is slidably penetrated by .aL clamping screws |91. Each of the clamping screws |91 has an eye portion 200 integral therewith which is .sli'dablyrpenetrated by a pin20| secured, as by a .pi'essed;t, in the upper end of a vertically dise posed standardv203, there being'lone of these ver-t tically disposed lstandards 203 adjacent each cor.. ner of the horizontally disposed` plate |5 and being welded thereto at their lower ends. 1 Theupper ends of the vertically disposed standardsl are grooved as at 204 to slidablyreceive.theiye portion200 of each of the adjustment-screws-l 91. The adjustment screws |91 each have a rpair-of lock nuts 205 threadably mounted thereon which are adapted to engage the upper surface ofthe plate |9|, when it is in the position shown-in Figure 4, to thus clampingly secure'theplate |9| against the upper ends of the compression springs |92. n Y The horizontally disposedplate |9| has transverse dove-tailed guide bars ||0' and secured thereto, as by screws ||3, and the parts associated with these dove-tailed guide bars ||0 and are identical to the parts associated with'.the guide bars 4| |70 and III, heretoforedescribed as being secured to the horizontally disposed plate I5 of' the table I0, and therefore partstassociated with the dove-tailed guide bars land II'I which are identical'to those associated withthedove-tailed guide bars ||0 and will'bear the same reference characters with the* prime notation-added. There is, however, an exception in the case 0f the parts being'identical,v in that those parts associated with the vertically movable platform I3 'do not include any pegs identical to the pegs |13 secured to the longitudinally.extending bar |10. 1 flt'willb'e inotedlin' Figures 1 and 4 that each oi' the guide posts |90 has a restricted upwardly extendingportion 2 |0 integral therewith to thereby l*minimize resistance'to vertical movement ot the vertically movable top platform |3 on the upper portions2|0 of the-guide post |90.

' To assistsupporting the weight of the vertically movable gtopplatform |3 the'horizontally disposed plate |9| has eye j bolts 2|| secured thereto 'and extending upwardly therefrom. Each connected thereto and these bars orcables '2|2' e'xtend upwardly'and inwardly at an angle and are connected 'to a suitable metallic ring 2| 5; there 'being two of these metallic rings shown in the drawings. Referring to Figure 1, it may 'be observed thatthe metallic ring 2|5 hasone end of a cable 2|6 connected to the same which extendsupwardly and passes over an idler pulley |21 rotatably mounted on a shaft'220 which may be secured in any desired manner to the framework of the building in which the apparatus is to be used and the cable 2|6 passes over a similar pulley 222 which is' also rotatably mounted on a shaft 223 mounted in the same manner as the shaft 220. The cable 2 |6 then extends downwardly and is connected at its other end to a suitable weight 224 and it is thus seen that the weight 224 will serve to equalize the weight of the parts associated with the vertically movable top platform I3.

Attention is called to the fact that in order to facilitate ease of operation of this apparatus, the leading ends of the coiled Wires W in this instance, are bent outwardly at a slightly diiferent arc than the other coils of the wire W, as at 230, andare also beveled at their leading ends as at 23| to thus assist in leading the coiled Wire W around the coils of the coiled spring C and this function will be more clearly disclosed in the method of operation.

Method of operation Preparatory to assembling the coil springs C and the coiled wires W, the electrically magnetized soft iron core bars |30 of the spring assembly platform I2 and the electrically magnetized soft iron core bars |30 vof the vertically movable platform |3, are adjusted laterally an equal distance each side of the pegs |13v (Figure and a distance apart from each other wherebyjtheir center to center distance isA slightly less than the mean diameter of theendmost coilsl same vertical plane as Vthepilot vbars and |16, of the spring assembling platform II.

By the weight of an operator being applied to the plate |9| of the vertically moveable platform I3, thel plate |91 is forced downwardly against the compression springs |92 (Figure 4) tl1us permitting the Ibolts |91 to be swung outwardly on their axes and out of engagement with the slots |95v in the plate |9I. 'Iheplate I9| is then relieved-"of the operators weight and the operator may raise the entire vertically movable plat-- form I3 upwardly, the weightof the platform I3 being overcome by the counter balancing effect ofthe weight 224 (Figure 1). Itmight be stated thatthe plate |9| moves oof the 'main portion of the guide portion |90 as the vertically movable platform I3 is moved upwardly manually, and is guided by the restricted portions 2 I 0, thus relieving frictional resistance to vertical movement of the plate |9I on the' guide posts'. I While the vertically movable platform |3 is in a raised position; that is, the plate |9| Yis disposed adjacent-the uppermost ends of the re stricted portions 2|0 of the guide post"|90, acoiledspring CA is placed over each of the pegs |13 inthe manner shown in Figure 10, the pilot bars |15 and |16 lserving byfrictional contact toretain the lowermost coil of the coiled spring C in proper alinement` on the longitudinally ex tending guide b'ars |65 and |66. The vertically movable platformv I3 is 'in a raised position; that is, thev plate |9Ifis dis-z posed vadjacent they uppermost endsof the yreV stricted portions 2|0 of the guide ,post |190,"l acoiled spring C is placed overeach of the.'pegs |13 in the manner shown in .Figure,10,' thepilo-t bars |15 and |16 serving by frictional contact to retain the lowermost coil of the coiled spring C in proper alinement on the longitudinally exe' tending guide bars |65 and |66.

The vertically movable platform |3 is then moved downwardly to the position shown in Figures 1, l and 10 and, upon'the plate I9I engaging the upper ends ofthe compression springs |92, the operator again applies his weight to the plate I9I to thus force the same downwardly' C are positioned on the pilotbars |15' andv |16',

in'the manner heretofore described, andthe coiled springs C are placed under compressionto insure that the vlower "and 'upper ends of'the' coiled springs C will beproperly seated on the longitudinally extending bars |10 and |10', `re spectively, and the guide bars |65 and |66 and |65 and |66', respectively. vForexample;A the coiled springs C have a normalfree length-'of inches and when-the lowerand upper platforms I2 -and I3 are in the position shown in Figure 4,' the coiled springs C are compressed to approxii mately 3`inches in overall length.

as far Ato the left as is possible in Figure 3; that is, until' the' plate 25 engages the plunger ofthe microswitch 13 and, assuming that the male plug 55 (Figure 2) has been plugged into a suitable sourcel of velectrical energy, vnot shown, the curyrent will flow through the wires 54, 15,'and`14 to one side of the microswitch 13. The current continues through the switch 13, through Athe electric wire 1| to the solenoid coil 65, through the wires 66 and 56 to the other 'side of the male plug 55. AThis 'v`villr complete a' circuit to the solenoid coil 65 thus causing the solenoid plunger 64 to move from left Vto right in Figure 2 and to thus complete 'a circuit between the wires 38 and 46 to the electric motor 32 which will cause the electric motor 32 toA rotate in one direction when'the switch 50 is closed, as will be later described. i I

Now, with the motor carriage in the position heretofore described, the trailing ends of coiled wires W of the desired length are placed on each of the spindles in the manner heretofore stated (Figure 8) and the leading ends -of the coiled wires W are placed in the guide blocks |46 and |46 in the manner to be presently described.

The cover members |56 and I56- are then moved vabout their axis '|51 and |51; respectively, to permitaccess tothe V-grooves |50 and |50 -in the .guide blocks |46 and |46',- respectively,` so

v'Ihe motor carriage I isthen moved manuallyv V the coiled wires W maybe placed over the trans-l` verse pins and |5|.' in. the guide blocks. |461. and |46", respectively. The cap members. |56r.

able source of electrical energy, .the current will flow through-the wires |31- and' |40 rand |31 and |40', to each of the magnetic coils |36 and |36',

respectively, to thus electrically magnetize each of the soft iron core bars |30fand |30', respectively. The electric switch 50.lr (Figure 2) is/then closed and currentwill flow from the male plug 55 through the electric wire 54, through the switch 50, through the electric wires 45' and 35' to the. electric motor 32. Current will also ow from the motor 32. through the wire. 36, through the switch 50, through the wires 53 and 56 to the other side ofi themale plug 55 thus completing an electrical' circuit toA the motor 32. Current will also flow from WireA 36- through wire 46, contact bar 42,' and` wire 38 to the motor 32. This will` cause rotation of the motor shaft 86 inV a counterclockwise direction in Figure- 6 thus causing like rotation to be transmitted-to the pulleys 9-3 and the associated spindlesA 95` which-will, in turn, transmit rotation to the coiled wires W. Y

Obviously, uponrotation of the coiled wires W (Figure 11) the transversepin |5| of the spring assembling platform |2 and the transverse pins |5| of the vertically movable platform |3- will `cause the coiled wiresy to move' inwardly towards the. guide bars |65 and |60. and |65.' and |66 to thus cause the coiled Wires W to move longitudinally betweenl the guide bars.

|65 and |66. As the coiled wires WV move longitudinallyfbetween'the bars |65. and |66,' although they do. not engage the proximate edges; of the soft iron core bars |-30f and |30', theyare attracted tothe soft iron core barsv |30 and |30v which serve to retain the coiled wires'W inthe groove formed bythe vlongitudinally extending bars |05y and |66- at` the spring assembling-platform |2v and' the groove formed bythe; longitudinally extending bars |65 and |66' of the vertically movable platform |3-.

Now, as these coiledl wires W'rotate on their axes and move; longitudinally of the soft iron core bars |30, the leading ends of the coiledwires 5 W, being bent outwardly slightly relative, to the rest of the coils, and being beveled as shown in Figure 1'1, willv guide the coil around the overlapping portions of the endmost coils of Ythe coiled springs C, thus assembling the coiled springs C and the coiled, wires W into a coiled spring unit such as that shown in Figures 12 and 13'. A

Itv is manifest that, as the coiled wires W feed past the coiled springs C, they pull the motor carriage :after them. It will be noted that' when the motor carriage moves from left to right in Figures 1 and 2, the horzontally disposed plate 25 engages the plunger of the microswitch 12 and, instantaneously, the current will flow from the male plug through the wires 54, 'I5 and 14 to one side of the microswitch 12 (Figure 2). The current then ilows through the wire 10, the solenoid coil 51, and the wire 56 to the other Side of the male plug 55; This will complete a circuit to the solenoid coil 5T thusY causing theplunger 50 to move from right to left in Figure 'Zand to thus cause the contact bar 42 to move ina clockwise direction in Figure 2 and lto thus breakthevv circuit between the wires 46,' and 30.v and to complete a circuit between they wires45 and 31 to reverse rotation ofthe shaft 06 of themotor 32. Upon reverse-rotation of the shaft; thatis, the

lower portion of the shaft 05 moving awayv fromr theobserver inFigure 8, the trailing endsofthel wires W willl be releasedj from theshaft 95 and,

this` will also prevent themotor carriage from being pulled too far to the right in Figures 1 and 2. After the motor shaftBB. has reversedrotation, the switch 50- (Figure 2) is. again opened to.

stop rotation of thefshaft 86 of the electric motor 32. after which the motor carriage is moved-v manually to the leftf in Figures. l andl 2. until the` plate 25 ofthe motor carriage again engages the plunger of the microswitch 13 preparatory to a repeat operation. v

The vertically movable. platform I3 is. then raised, in the manner heretofore described, and the completed spring unit as shown inFigures. 1.2 and 13 is then removed from the spring assembling platform |2.

It isthus seen that I have provided a coiled spring assembling machine wherein any desired number of coiled springs may be assembled simultaneously automatically, resulting in an unprecedented saving in cost of manufacturing springs of thistype.

In the drawings and. specifications there hasv been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention, and although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only, and not forpurposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being defined in thel claims. Y

I claim:

1. An improvement inV an apparatus for assembli-ng coiled-springs into coiled spring units in whichA there is provided a lower platform `having a plurality of spaced longitudinally extending rows ofV spaced vertically .disposed pegs mounted thereon, said apparatus also having guiding means located atene end of the platform and substantially half-way between the rows of pegs for directing coiled wires between the rows of pegs and said apparatus also having driving means for transmitting rotation to each of, the coiled wires, said improvement comprising a longitudinally extending electro-magnet disposed between adjacent longitudinally extending rows of vertically disposed pegs, each of said electromagnets having a core projecting upwardly therefrom, a pair of longitudinally extending non-magnetizable members disposed adjacent the opposite sides of each of the cores, the proximate upper edges of the longitudinally extending non-magnetizable members being beveled, said guiding means being located at one end of the electro-magnets for directing a coiled wire onto each of the electro-magnets, whereby upon a coiled spring being placed on each of the verticallydisposed pegs the proximate edges of the lowermost coils thereof may lap over each other above the electro-magnets and whereby eachl of the coiled wires will thus wind itself about the overlapping portions of the coiled springs to thus tie the coiled springs together and the coiled wires being retained against the beveled edges of the non-magnetizable members by magnetic attraction of said cores.

2. An improvement in an apparatus for forming coiled spring units, such as are used in bed springs and automobile cushion springs and the like` and` in which the coiledA spring units are 13 formed of rows of coiled springs extending in spaced side by side relation to each other and the uppermost and lowermost coils of which are bound together by coiled wires, said apparatus having an upper and a lower platform each provided with longitudinally extending support bars disposed in spaced relation to each other and also having a plurality of spaced upstanding pegs secured to the longitudinally extending support bars on the lower platform, and said apparatus also having rotary driving means, said improvement comprising a plurality of longitudinally extending alternately and laterally spaced electro-magnets secured on each of the platforms and being disposed in the same vertical plane, each of said electro-magnets having a longitudinally extending core projecting therefrom and non-magnetizable longitudinally extending guide bars secured to the upper and lower proximate surfaces of the electro-magnets and disposed each side of the projecting portions of the cores, a source of electrical energy, an electrical connection between the source of electrical energy and the electro-magnets, whereby one of the coiled springs may be placed on each of the upstanding pegs with its endmost coils engaging the guide bars disposed adjacent each side of the longitudinally extending support bars and overlapping the endmost coils of the coiled spring 14 in the next adjacent row. and whereby said coiled Wires may be connected to the rotary driving means for transmitting rotation to the same as they are fed to and around the overlapping portions of the adjacent coiled springs to thus tie the coiled springs together and are held in engagement with the guide bars by attraction of v the electro-magnets.

BENJAMIN F. DOCKERY.

REFEREN CES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

